1997-98 UAF Catalog

Degrees and Programs

Computer Science

College of Science, Engineering and MathematicsDepartment of Mathematical Sciences (907) 474-7332

Minimum Requirements: B.S.: 120 credits; M.S.: 30 additional credits

The computer science program is administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences within the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. Computer science is the study of information handling and its application to the problems of the world. Computing is widely used in support of activities in science, engineering, business, law, medicine, education, and the social sciences. The potential for employment is one of the highest in the entire range of subjects spanned by the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

Both the B.S. and M.S. degrees follow the recommendations of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). The B.S. degree is accredited by the Computer Sciences Accreditation Board, Inc. The curriculum for the B.S. in computer science consists of a core of courses which introduces the student to the fundamentals of computer programming, hardware, theory, and applications. Mathematics and engineering play critical roles in the core. Throughout the curriculum the emphasis is on problem solving and applications of general principles to real-world problems. A solid background in fundamentals enables the graduate not only to understand today's computers and their uses, but also to understand and participate in future developments.

One track of the M.S. Degree, the Technical track, follows the recommendations of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE). A second track, the Software Engineering track, is also available. This track is derived in part from recommendations of Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute.

The intent of the M.S. degree in computer science is to provide breadth and depth in coursework and to culminate with a major unifying project. The Technical track is accessible to students who have completed a B.S. in C.S. at most institutions. Students from other universities who have completed a substantive portion of a Bachelors level computer science program may be admitted to the M.S. program. In such cases, undergraduate courses may be required to remedy deficiencies. The Software Engineering track is intended for software practitioners with a Bachelor's degree and at least two years of relevant experience.

For admission to the MS Computer Science program, both tracks require the GRE general exam. The Technical track requires the GRE Computer Science subject exam in addition. For teaching assistantship consideration, foreign applicants whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL score of at least 600, and the department is currently giving preference to those applicants who also submit results of the Test of Spoken English (TSE).

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

1. Complete the general university requirements and B.S. degree requirements. A portion of the Perspectives on the Human Condition requirement should be met with ethics (PHIL 322X). The mathematics requirement for the B.S. should be met with MATH 200X-201X. A portion of the science requirement for the B.S. should be met with a one year physics sequence, PHYS 103X-104X or PHYS 211X-212X.